Thailand vacation advice

Last year in Samui it rained until the end of December, the year before until the end of November.

Flood season is roughly from mid-October until December so like I said, it is a gamble

Phuket is on the other side, it isn't so wet, also better infrastructure means you can still get around when it does rain.

There is no good beaches in Pattaya, unless you go to Koh Larn island by ferry...
From Bangkok/Pattaya you can get to Koh Samed or Koh Chang islands, both are beautiful

if I settle for Phuket in December is that a wise-enough decision ? nice beaches + good weather ?

With all the beautiful island beaches in the world you are taking your g/f where???


.

7 days and also go to bangkok. Waste of time.

Pattaya has the worst beaches in all of Thailand. The ONLY thing people come to Pattaya for, is to fuck whores, party, and make porn.

If you are limited on time, fly into Bangkok and head to Phuket as fast as you can. Once in Phuket, rent a car and check out Krabi, Phang Nga Bay, Kao Lak, and surrounding areas.

I hate Bangkok. It's big, smelly, crowded, and dirty. However, it has good shopping, clubs, whores, dining and hotels. The filth, stench and traffic is not worth it for me. But if you're coming for beaches, I wouldn't waste an hour in Bangkok unless you had to.

That's how I felt too. Didn't like Bangkok much.

I like bangkok, Koh San Road, Palace, market. But if you have only 7 days, i wouldn't go there. I found it much better and the end of a trip, instead of starting there.

I agree with others, try to find a connecting flight and fly to your destination immediately. I suggest Krabi 2 nights and than Phi phi island if you want to see some beaches.

December 1 is definitely into high season. After two nights in BKK, you'll be bored. Fly down to Phuket, stay at Twin Palms (http://twinpalms-phuket.com/) at Surin Beach and go hang out with your GF on that beach, Laem Singh Beach (2 minutes away), and Bang Tao Beach (longest stretch of white-sand on the island, I think). If you're after beaches, Phuket and a few minor islands are the only way to go (and, only the West Coast in Phuket, which is where Surin is located). Even Koh Samui's beaches are shit compared to Phuket.

Pattaya is not a relaxing vacation with the GF - that is for guys who leave their GFs at home and take 7 days off for themselves. The Sheraton in Pattaya is shit, as are most hotels down that way (even though there are some nice ones, they are all on terrible beaches). Twin Palms in Phuket is luxury that is affordable and one of top-rated hotels on the island. They have awesome little beach club that has high-grade sun chairs (not the plastic bullshit that you'll see on the rest of the beach), a restaurant with top-notch food, and excellent service.

I lived in Phuket for 2.5 years, most of that on Surin Beach. I know the area like the back of my hand. If you do end up there, check out Liquid Lounge (should still be there), for a couple of drinks, some pool, and gathering spot of island expat personalities. This is a quick walk up the same road as the hotel. Two doors down, a guy named Steven owns a wine shop that hosts events all the time. Hit Supper Club for dinner - best steaks on the island and awesome atmosphere. There is an incredible little breakfast/lunch eatery nearly next to the hotel, owned by a really nice lady who is local but was raised in the US (can't remember the name of that place but it has a wooden patio, you can't miss it). Everything is super-fresh there. There is a killer little bakery on the way over to Bang Tao that makes fresh stuff every day. All of this is in the Surin / Bang Tao area.

Surin area is one of the safest in all of Phuket and, probably, Thailand. It is a bit more upper-class but if you want to impress the GF at an affordable price (and, get some relax time in the process), this is your best bet.

ICQ me if you decide to take that route - I can recommend some of other cool things that you can find in the area (or anywhere else in Phuket, for that matter).

If you go to pattaya: http://www.oamhotels.com/novaplatinum/
I like bkk don't let the haters scare you away

Amary hotel is much better, but honestly just spend just a night there then go to Phuket.
http://www.amari.com/orchid/

msg for more details!

those look quite nice. THe beach is great.

go to ko phi phi instead if pattaya, boat from phuket takes 2.5 hours to get there

the sheraton is great actually..